Timing is the Father's business

He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons [their critical niche in time], which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power. Acts 1:7 AMP

God's timing is perfect. It will happen in God's timing. All in God's timing. How often have you heard these phrases? Sometimes they can be annoying phrases when you are tired of waiting and frustrated that things haven't changed now. Or sometimes you want more time, and want assurance that there will be enough time.

In this passage of scripture Jesus is responding to the apostles who asked one of the big questions.

When they were together for the last time, they asked, "Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?" Acts 1:6 The Message

The Message bible has Jesus response as this.

He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business." Acts 1:7 The Message

So where does that leave us? In limbo? Not knowing how, when or where? Yes. The only thing we know is the final outcome - eternal life, through salvation.

But we don't have to do the 'waiting' alone and we don't have to do it without purpose. Jesus last words to the apostles here on earth were,

But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. And when He has said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight. Acts 1:8,9 AMP

The Holy Spirit is with us today. He is here to help us, encourage us, teach us and guide us. The Holy Spirit is another expression of God's love for us. An unfathomable love that helps us in the 'waiting' and gives us hope.

Moreover [let us be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 AMP

The 'waiting' can be hard and painful. I know. But the Holy Spirit is here. He is our help and our guarantee. 

Question for today, are you wanting to know God's timing for something or someone? Is the waiting becoming more frustrating and painful? Ask the Holy Spirit to help and encourage you. Maybe He will do it through the scriptures, maybe through a time of worship, maybe through a time of contemplative prayer or maybe through someone's teachings. Just ask Him.

Now He Who has fashioned us [preparing and making us fit] for this very thing is God, Who has given us the [Holy] Spirit as a guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]. So then, we are always full of good and hopeful and confident courage; we know that while we are at home in the body, we are abroad from the home with the Lord [that is promised us]. For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. 2 Corinthians 5:5-7 AMP